Small Planet Sports — Local services in South Island

Very disappointed by their handling of customer credit card information.

I rented a waterproof jacket here and was asked to provide my full credit card details — including the CVV security code — handwritten on a piece of paper as a deposit. I was shocked that such an outdated and risky practice is still being used. This is absolutely not in line with basic credit card security standards.

When I returned the jacket and asked to have my sensitive card information returned or destroyed properly, the staff member tore the paper in front of me and tossed it in the bin, all while smiling and saying “have a good one.” It felt dismissive and disrespectful, especially considering the seriousness of the issue.

If you’re a traveler concerned about your financial safety, I would strongly advise against providing full card details in this way. The shop should really update their procedures to follow modern, secure practices like digital pre-authorizations or refundable deposits — not insecure handwritten records.

I rarely write negative reviews, but this was...

Exceptional service, friendly and knowledgeable staff!

I recently visited Small Planet in Queenstown and received exceptional service. The staff are not only incredibly friendly but also extremely knowledgeable about their products and the local outdoor scene. They took the time to understand my needs in terms of ski touring equipment and provided personalised recommendations that were spot on.

Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or just starting out, you'll feel right at home here. It's clear they have a passion for what they do, and it shows in the level of care and attention they give to every customer. It’s not about pressuring people to buy products at Small Planet - it’s about ensuring people are well looked after, are safe in NZ’s rugged outdoors, experience high quality kit and are satisfied that they made the right purchase.

I can't recommend Small Planet...

Not really sure how this place gets its high reviews. I went in to get some help with new boots - which I wanted to get due to chronic shin pain. I spent some time explaining my pain to the assistant. Immediately without saying a word, she disappeared out the back for 10 minutes - absolutely no feedback about the pain I had explained. She then returned with a pair of boots, only to immediately realise they were the wrong size and go out the back again. I stopped her to ask what boot she is getting, and how she thinks they will address my pain, and she seemed notably annoyed at my further questions and went out the back again. After another 10 minutes she returned to tell me I have a common shoe size and she has nothing in my size. The experience wasted about 20 minutes of my time, while providing me nothing but a distasteful...